Muslim Nations Unite Against Israeli Actions at Al-Aqsa Mosque

Coalition of Muslim Nations Condemns Israeli Actions

A coalition comprising eight Muslim-majority countries has collectively denounced Israel's recent actions at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. They accuse Israel of breaching international law and disrupting the established status quo of this sacred site. The foreign ministers from Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Qatar, Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan expressed their concerns over what they termed mass incursions by Israeli settlers into the mosque compound.

The coalition claims that these settlers were not only accompanied by extremist ministers but also received protection from Israeli security forces. This diplomatic response comes amid escalating tensions in occupied East Jerusalem, particularly following a visit by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir to the site.

In their joint statement, the ministers condemned provocative actions within the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, including the display of the Israeli flag in the courtyard, the installation of tents by Israeli police, and the ongoing presence of Israeli settlers. They asserted that these actions violate international law, relevant United Nations resolutions, and the historical agreements governing the site. Furthermore, they cautioned that such provocations could exacerbate religious tensions and hinder efforts to revive a political process aimed at achieving a two-state solution.

Accusations of Altering Historical Status Quo

Joint Statement Accuses Israel Of Violating Status Quo

The eight foreign ministers articulated that Israel's actions signify an attempt to change the historical, legal, and demographic landscape of occupied East Jerusalem. They condemned the extremist rhetoric and repeated calls from Israeli ministers and settler groups that incite further visits and confrontations at the mosque compound. The ministers emphasized that these actions pose a threat to both Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.

Additionally, the statement criticized the restrictions placed on access to Jerusalem's Old City and places of worship, arguing that the limitations imposed on Muslim worshippers constitute violations of international humanitarian law. They highlighted that discriminatory barriers preventing access to religious sites are part of broader efforts to alter the established legal and historical framework governing occupied East Jerusalem. The ministers reiterated that Israel, as the occupying power, lacks sovereignty over Jerusalem's Muslim and Christian holy sites.

Al-Aqsa Mosque: A Central Element in Ongoing Conflict

Al-Aqsa Remains At Centre Of Long-Running Dispute

Reaffirming their unified stance, the ministers asserted that the entire 144-acre Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, also referred to as Haram al-Sharif, is exclusively a Muslim place of worship. They declared that the Jerusalem Endowments and Al-Aqsa Affairs Directorate, under Jordan's Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, is the sole legal authority responsible for managing the site and regulating access in line with the historical status quo.

The statement also expressed support for the Hashemite custodianship of Jerusalem's Islamic and Christian holy sites, deeming it essential for maintaining existing arrangements. The ministers called on Israel to promptly lift restrictions affecting access to the Old City and to permit unrestricted entry for Muslim worshippers wishing to pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque.

International Response to Ben Gvir's Visit

Ben Gvir Visit Draws Fresh International Criticism

This joint condemnation follows another visit by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir to the Al-Aqsa compound, where he was accompanied by police and groups of Jewish visitors. Ben Gvir, a significant figure in Israel's far-right coalition government, has made multiple visits to the site in recent years, each attracting criticism from Palestinian authorities and various regional governments, who argue that such actions heighten already fragile tensions.

The eight nations also urged the broader international community to take a stronger stance against what they described as ongoing violations of Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem. They called for increased international pressure on Israel to cease actions that threaten the historical status quo, warning that continued escalation around Al-Aqsa Mosque could further destabilize one of the most sensitive flashpoints in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.